Only best blow in for tartan extravaganza

Andrew Korner
Deputy Editor
Born and bred in Ipswich, Andrew Korner has been at the Queensland Times since 2007. Over the past decade Andrew has covered country rounds, courts, police and emergency services and been editor of the Ipswich Advertiser. Andrew is currently the deputy editor of the Queensland Times.

"We've got a number of members who are top grade players so we are definitely going out there to win."

The Ipswich group's talent has been bolstered by its introduction of the Greater Ipswich College of Piping and Drumming. Pipe players as young as eight will be performing with the Ipswich Thistle Pipe Band tomorrow for the Gathering of the Clans.

Starting at 10.30am, the event features multicultural displays and performances, as well as stalls and even a jumping castle for the kids.

"While we were unable to secure any government funding we do have large growth plans for the gathering, making it a destination event for Ipswich to help contribute to boosting the local tourism economy," Mr Tomkins said.

"Government funding in the future will certainly help that, but until then our event is kept free for the community by a combination of some of our generous sponsors as well as the majority of the funding directly from our pipe band."

Ipswich has also secured the 2019 State Championships and Mr Tomkins said a change to a larger venue with more seating was a possibility.

Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard will act as the Chieftan of the Clans, welcoming the visiting players, who will come together for a mass band performance to close off the day at 3.30pm.